Calendar of Events
Monday, August 31, 2020
Tomato Head: Cityscapes and Organics - Photography by Terri Swaggerty
Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event
On exhibition Downtown from July 6-August 2 and at the West location from August 4-September 7
Tomato Head, 12 Market Square (865-637-4067) and 7240 Kingston Pike, Suite 172 (865-584-1075), in Knoxville. http://thetomatohead.com
Knoxville Museum of Art: Sculptural Objects from the KMA Collection
Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Fine Crafts and Free event
This special display inaugurates the KMA’s newly renovated Sarah Jane Hardrath Kramer Education Center, a multi-purpose space named in honor of the KMA’s first director of education. We are taking advantage of current COVID-19 restrictions on large gatherings to use this event and classroom space to display a diverse selection of sculptural works, many small in scale, from the KMA collection. Some were acquired years ago and have been displayed many times, while others have rarely been shown or were recently acquired. Figurative works by Tennessee artists Bessie Harvey, Richard Jolley, and Red Grooms explore human life in all its struggles, timeless beauty, and satirical moments. Small objects by Henry Moore and John Himmelfarb reflect contrasting approaches to bronze. John Jordan, Jen McCurdy, and Brad Sells each explore the vessel as a sculptural form from distinct vantage points. Together, this selection reflects a broad cross-section of modern and contemporary art from East Tennessee and beyond as expressed in a variety of materials and techniques.
Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916. Information: 865-525-6101, https://knoxart.org/exhibitions/sculptural-objects-from-the-kma-collection/
Knoxville Museum of Art: Summer Art Academy online**
Category: Classes, workshops, Exhibitions, visual art, Fine Crafts, Free event and Kids, family
Summer Art Academy 2020 is moving online! Due to restrictions on group activities related to COVID-19, the Knoxville Museum of Art’s Summer Art Academy will take place online only this year. No classes will be held at the museum. A full menu of fun and educational art activities will be available soon on the KMA’s YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/KnoxvilleMuseumOfArt, or check www.knoxart.org for updates. Online art activities will be available for no charge.
Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916. Hours: Tu-Sa 10-5, Su 1-5. Information: 865-525-6101, https://knoxart.org/kma_events/summer-art-academy-2020/
Jubilee Community Arts: Laurel Theater videos & radio
Category: Classes, workshops, Film, History, heritage and Music
While all public activities at the Laurel have been canceled until further notice including dances, concerts and church services, please enjoy videos on their YouTube channel which include concerts, dance lessons, and more! https://www.youtube.com/user/LaurelTheater/videos
The historic Laurel Theater is a regional, community cultural center dedicated to preserving and presenting the traditional arts of the Southern Appalachians. The Laurel Theater is owned and operated by Jubilee Community Arts.
Tune in to 91.9 FM WUOT on Saturdays at 9 PM for "Mountain Jubilee" and 89.9 FM WDVX on Sundays from 5-11 PM for "Sunday Jubilee"!
Arts & Culture Alliance: Arts in the Airport Spring 2020
Category: Exhibitions, visual art
Enjoy the 44 works by regional artists, as juried by Jim Scarsella.
The current exhibition (juried by Jim Scarsella) will be on display from June 10 - October (end date TBA) 2020. View and purchase artworks at https://www.knoxalliance.store/product-category/airport-22. Thank you for your support of our local artists!
The Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville and the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (McGhee Tyson Airport) present a semi-annual exhibition entitled “Arts in the Airport”. This juried exhibition was developed to allow regional artists to compete and display work in the most visited site in the area. The selected art features contemporary 2- and 3-dimensional artwork and is exhibited in the secured area behind McGhee Tyson Airport’s security gate checkpoint for six months at a time. Approximately 35-40 works comprise each exhibition. Work is normally available for viewing only by visitors flying in or out of the airport.
UT Gardens, Knoxville: Dazzling Dogwoods: A Garden Art Exhibit
Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Free event, Kids, family and Science, nature
The silhouettes created for the 2020 summer “Dazzling Dogwoods: A Garden Art Exhibit,” are on display at the UT Gardens, Knoxville. All the pieces will be available for purchase at an auction that will be held in the fall. The auction will be the last phase of an art project designed to promote community participation and artist collaboration as well awareness and support for the UT Gardens.
https://tiny.utk.edu/DazzlingDogwoods
37 local amateur and professional artists creatively interpreted this year’s dogwood theme by painting or embellishing large-scale plywood dogwood silhouettes in two sizes. Artists had the option to create either a large or small form or a pair. The works have been installed throughout the UT Gardens and will be on display throughout the summer. In the fall, these beautiful, one-of-a-kind dogwood silhouettes will be sold to the public at auction.
Ijams Nature Center: Opening Quarry Swimming Area, Paddling Rentals
Category: Festivals, special events, Kids, family and Science, nature
Ijams Nature Center has opened the swimming area at Mead's Quarry in phase two of the City/County reopening plan, which went into effect May 26.
River Sports Outfitters (RSO) began offering paddle rentals on the lake Memorial Day weekend. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Rentals will close due to inclement weather and will be announced on the RSO Facebook page at @RiverSportsOutfitters.
The Ijams Outpost, which offers concessions, beer and other items, will mirror RSO hours. Restrooms at the quarry remain open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Visitor Center restrooms and limited-contact gift shop/concessions purchases continue to be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All restrooms will close for short periods at set times each day to allow facilities to be cleaned and sanitized. During those times, the front lobby of the Visitor Center also will be closed.
Navitat is open Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are by appointment only.
You are encouraged to wear masks when entering the Visitor Center and while passing other people on the grounds. Ijams remains committed to the health and safety of visitors and staff, and will be evaluating reopening policies, procedures and hours; changes may be implemented at any time. www.Ijams.org or call 865-577-4717.
Zoo Knoxville: Now Open
Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Kids, family and Science, nature
Zoo Knoxville is reopening to the public on Monday, May 18, with carefully planned protocols to ensure the safety of their guests, staff and animals. The zoo closed to visitors on March 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In accordance with the City of Knoxville and Knox County COVID-19 Reopening Phase 1 plan, Zoo Knoxville is open for passive outdoor use only, which means no indoor areas or interactive experiences like rides and animal encounters can be offered at this time. Playground areas, including the splash pad, will also remain closed in this phase.
To control the number of guests in the zoo daily, advance purchase timed entry tickets are required. Circle of Friends members and annual passholders will continue to receive free admission but will be required to make a reservation online for a timed entry on a specific date.
The zoo has added more than 30 additional hand sanitizing stations throughout zoo grounds and restaurants have modified their ordering and delivery systems to minimize contact.
Zoo Knoxville asks all guests to take the safety of other visitors, zoo staff and the animals seriously by following CDC recommendations:
• Wearing a mask or face covering
• Washing your hands and using hand sanitizer stations throughout the zoo frequently
• Maintaining 6 feet of physical distance between groups
• Using ground markings and directional signs to maintain safe distancing in areas where people may gather
• Staying home if you are sick or in a high risk group
To show appreciation for the outpouring of care and support during the closure, Zoo Knoxville will be offering tickets at a reduced price of $14.95 for adults and $11.95 for children ages 4-12 and seniors over 65. Ages 3 and under are free. The zoo will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. beginning May 18, 2020. Tickets and entry times can be purchased and reserved online.
Zoo Knoxville, 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914. Information: 865-637-5331, www.zooknoxville.org
The Maker City: Monday Maker Marketplace
Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Fine Crafts
An online marketplace – FIVE items by local makers are posted each Monday on The Maker City’s Instagram feed, where viewers can bid for the items from 8 AM – 8 PM. https://www.instagram.com/themakercity/
Old Gray Cemetery: Open Grounds
Category: Free event and Science, nature
Old Gray Cemetery located in downtown Knoxville occupies 13 acres of beauty and history. The cemetery was founded in 1850 and dedicated in 1852 when the first 40 lots were sold at public action. Today Old Gray clearly depicts Knoxville’s history and provides an important example of cemetery planning and design during the rural cemetery or garden movement.
The Ella Albers Fountain has been recently restored and serves as the anchor on the main drive and the centerpiece of Old Gray. The original fountain was erected in 1890 by A. J. Albers in memory of his 37-year-old wife. The symbolism of the Victorian fountain is twofold, representing both the respect for the memory of the dead and also offering hope and inspiration to the living. The original fountain was dismantled during World War II and the metal was used in the war effort.
You can stroll or drive through the winding avenues of Old Gray and see the excellent examples of Victorian art and architecture. The cemetery is a mixture of unmarked graves to massive monuments and mausoleums which honor the lives of those buried there.
The massive oaks and hackberry trees are part of a wide variety of trees and vegetation at Old Gray that are living witnesses to the history of Knoxville since before the Civil War at which time this area was an open pasture. Thanks to the vision of those who lived then we can now enjoy the park setting that these trees have created.
You are invited to take a walk back through history and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Old Gray. Our automatic gates currently open at 7 AM and close at 5 PM.
https://www.facebook.com/oldgraycemetery
Old Gray Cemetery, 543 North Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-522-1424, www.oldgraycemetery.com
WDVX: Real Live Music Videos
Category: Free event and Music
We are bringing you even more Real Live Music Videos this month, with new performances posted every Tuesday & Thursday! Check out the release schedule: https://wdvx.com/new-real-live-music-videos-premiere-on-tuesdays-thursdays-in-may/
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/wdvxradio
The 30 Days of Real Live Music Challenge concluded in April, and visitors one can watch all 30 videos in a row at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVDeTOdMcmYmKi_ayM0tYvx0zWkNhr6ry.
Haunted Knoxville Ghost Tours
Category: Festivals, special events and History, heritage
INVESTIGATE KNOXVILLE’S GREATEST HAUNTS!
Real History | Real Hands-on | Real Investigations | REAL FUN!
Haunted Knoxville Ghost Tours is a Hands-On Paranormal Adventure that gives the participant the opportunity to Investigate the Historic and Haunted side of Knoxville TN and Special Event Venues.
The events include the use of Paranormal Investigation Tools and is Host by Famed Paranormal Historian and Master Teacher in the Paranormal Field, J-Adam Smith
PUBLIC TOURS (FRI & SAT - Exception when Briceville Special Events are running.)
PRIVATE TOURS (SUN, MON, & THURS - (Tickets are Sold as Packages. Pricing starts at $200 for Groups up to the size of 6)
Information: 865-377-9677 or www.hauntedknoxville.net